Chapter Discussion One Piece Chapter 1178: FADING NIGHTMARE

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On the cover page...Kid is ALIVE! He seems to be alive and well. Making a nuisance of himself on Drum Island getting chased around by Dalton. Wait...I'm being told that's probably not what's happening, here. But, maybe it's foreshadowing something, anyway? Either Kid fighting Warcury or Minotaurus in Impel Down? Or it's just a silly, fun request. Who can say?

"Loki's a real wildcard" It DOES take a lot for even Luffy to say something like that.

Huh...it sounds to me like Loki was doing the same thing Herald was doing back in the day, only against the World Government instead of against Pirates (Chapter 1167). So...somehow...Loki had the same "fog producing technology" that Herald did. Could it be something special about some sort of royal ship? Could it have something to do with the "fog" that also covered the hole where God Valley used to be after it collapsed in on itself? (Chapter 1166). Oda's setting something up with "fog", I'm just not entirely sure what.

Although...this entire setup DOES also sound like it could involve The Man Marked By Flames. A ship in fog, followed by a large beast...it COULD be the Oro Jackson alongside whatever hatched from Roger's Giant Mystery Egg. Loki never confirms or denies that was him. But, it's definitely HINTED that the guy in the fog was Loki.

Imu mentions "A Coeurl" again. If you want to know more about Coeurls, I made a thread all about it over here:
https://worstgen.alwaysdata.net/for...with-tentacles-what-is-a-coeurl-anyway.68264/

Although, apparently, the alternate spelling "Quarl" can also mean a Jellyfish. And...I'll admit, Imu DOES look a lot like a jellyfish in this Shadow mode. So, alien cat or jellyfish, place your bets, now!
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/quarl

But, again with Imu's tentacles. I guess we'll see later if those tentacles leave any lasting wounds. But, Domi Reversi doesn't even work on Luffy and Loki. Is that because they both have God Fruits? Or is any Devil Fruit User able to ignore Imu's Domi Reversi. I don't think we've seen anyone with any sort of Devil Fruit get Reversi'd, as far as I remember. Rocks was never confirmed to have a Devil Fruit. So, Devil Fruits in general MIGHT be a natural counter to Imu's powers.

"Wait, did you just say Rocks?!" Loki continues to be a bit of a Rocks fanboy.

Oh gosh, Ragnirs Hammer-with-a-squirrel-face look is SO CUTE! There WILL be merchandise of this in the future, I can already tell.

Luffy's just able to punch Shadow-Imu to pieces. And Loki's able to freeze Gunko in a block of ice with Niffleheim. Looks like this fight's over, for now. I guess since Brook has some ice-related attacks, he MIGHT be able to thaw Gunko out later, if he wants?

Luffy's still going into tired-old-man mode after using Gear 5. It seemed like he was gaining more stamina lately, but I guess not that much. So, I wonder how much of Luffy's life he's already burned through using Gear 5? This is probably a plot point that's going to come to the head by the end of the story.

Even Loki seems to have some stamina problems staying in his full Nidhogg form for too long. And he hasn't even Awakened it, yet! Maybe he hasn't Awakened yet precisely because of his stamina problems. Though, to be fair, it's hard to get your cardio in when you're chained to a tree for years.

Chopper's able to finish up Zoro's leftovers. And Zoro thinks it's "Because he's a amazing doctor". Yeah...that probably isn't it. Either ALL Devil Fruits counter Imu's Reveri. Or Chopper could have a God Fruit like Luffy and maybe Loki. I'm not sure which way I'm leaning towards, for the moment. I really wish Brook or even Bonney would have gotten a chance to attack someone who was Reversi'd.

All the fires are getting put out, everyone's turned back from getting Reversi'd...this really seems like the arc's wrapping up. Even the books get saved...somehow. Biblo's gone too, so he MIGHT have saved the books, but it's unclear. My bet? I think the books got dropped off in the upper Astral/Heaven Realm. We still need a excuse to visit that place, quick. And a quick book hunt sounds like a pretty decent reason to do that.

Looks like Killingham is remaining the Strawhat's prisoner for now. I'm a little surprised about that. Sommers is slowly putting himself back together, though. He MIGHT be able to ruin our little happy ending. None of the God's Knights managed to even escape, yet. So, chances are, this isn't quite over yet. We'll see.

"Squirrel...I'm hungry" Ragnir seems like a solid bro. He might just get Luffy some food, yet. Those two really seemed to bond while getting yelled at by Nami.

And being frozen in ice does NOTHING to stop Imu escaping.

And Imu's...leaving Pangaea Castle?! That's a first! Either Imu's going to Elbaph in person, in order to use their "Yokai" form to turn the tide of battle. Or...it's somewhere else. Maybe to pick up the Ancient Weapon Uranos? But, Imu didn't pilot Uranos, before when they destroyed Lulusia, so I doubt that. Or MAYBE to do something with that Giant Frozen Strawhat? Maybe Imu's going to send something like that to Elbaph in their place? But, Imu going to Elbaph directly does seem like the simplest interpretation.

Either way, the way Imu is phrasing this, it almost sounds like Imu is staying in Mariejois in order to protect something? Imu telling the Gorosei that they'll be without them for a bit makes it sounds like Imu is warning them about something. Maybe Imu's presence IS "sealing" something away within the Red Line?

So, yeah...I think Imu's going to Elbaph in person. We MIGHT just get a Imu face reveal before this arc is over, yet. Or at least, we might get a better look at whatever Imu turns into. It's...probably going to be some sort of Dragon. But, we'll see. Imu HAS mentioned "Coeurls" twice now. Imu might be a Displacer Beast aka...a cat with tentacles. Or maybe a Jellyfish. Or, since this is One Piece, some strange combination of all three. We'll see.

Also...this is going to get overlooked by most people, even me at first. But, take another look at Imu in the Flower Garden. Someone is kneeling on the opposite side of the room. And Gunko's still frozen in ice. So, either Imu got another "Assistant" when Gunko got promoted...or Imu's "Assistant" that we saw when Rocks broke in was never Gunko in the first place (Chapter 1155). Gunko may just be of the same "Heterochromia" tribe as whoever "Imu's Assistant" is.

We might get a few chapters of peace for the Strawhats before then, though. Scopper still has to tell them something. And we might find where the books went. Plus, Franky might find something in that 3000 year old lab. We'll see. But, I have a feeling Imu hasn't quite given up on Elbaph, yet. I have a feeling this arc won't exactly have as happy of a ending as it looks, right now.
I've read some interesting comments under Tekking's chapter review video.

Oda focussing on the butterflies in the flower room in the last panel. Some people believe it could indicate Imu Samas Life Force of some sort. Since one butterfly here is seen evaporating in thin air ?

Others suggested it could be some sort of buff for him before he leaves MarieJoa.

Then there is also a possibility of what @Fujishiro mentioned: that Imu could be bound to MarieJoa and can only leave, after maybe sacrificing one of the butterflies here ? But who knows? It could be merely a symbolic thing and nothing is happening at all.

 
I've read some interesting comments under Tekking's chapter review video.

Oda focussing on the butterflies in the flower room in the last panel. Some people believe it could indicate Imu Samas Life Force of some sort. Since one butterfly here is seen evaporating in thin air ?

Others suggested it could be some sort of buff for him before he leaves MarieJoa.

Then there is also a possibility of what @Fujishiro mentioned: that Imu could be bound to MarieJoa and can only leave, after maybe sacrificing one of the butterflies here ? But who knows? It could be merely a symbolic thing and nothing is happening at all.

It's a interesting idea, but I'm not totally sure that's what's actually happening or not. I'm not sure if that's actually supposed to be a third butterfly that's evaporating due to getting sacrificed, or if it's just supposed to be a "scale trail" left behind by the other two butterflies.




A lot of times in animation, when you see butterflies fly you can see a trail of sparkly "dust" that gets left behind their flight path. Because actual butterflies have scales on the wing that seem like powder to us. You might assume it's "pollen" or something, but the reason for that dust trail left behind the butterfly is probably due to it's scales. It's probably one of the inspirations behind stuff like "fairy dust".
https://kidsbutterfly.org/faq-page/why-do-butterflies-have-dust-their-wings
https://essig.berkeley.edu/exhibits/butterflywings/
https://www.lewisginter.org/pixie-dust-butterfly-scales/

So, I don't know. It's possible that Imu's using the lifeforce from a butterfly to power themselves up. Butterflies can symbolize rebirth or transformation, so it would be fitting to use a butterfly to gain a new form or something. But, they can also symbolize being in a "dream world", like the "artificial" world that Imu's created for themselves in the Flower Garden, or the transience of life, as a way of symbolizing death or those you have lost. I feel like the butterflies are likely symbolizing something else in this scene. Something we probably don't really have the context to fully understand, yet.
https://www.chopa.com/blog/unfolding-wings-the-symbolism-of-butterflies-in-japanese-culture.html

So, I don't know. I feel like the art's a little too unclear to really say anything definitively yet. The butterfly MIGHT be dissolving. Or it might just be leaving a dusty trail behind itself. Possibly symbolizing Imu's own journey they're about to start. We'll see.
 
It's a interesting idea, but I'm not totally sure that's what's actually happening or not. I'm not sure if that's actually supposed to be a third butterfly that's evaporating due to getting sacrificed, or if it's just supposed to be a "scale trail" left behind by the other two butterflies.




A lot of times in animation, when you see butterflies fly you can see a trail of sparkly "dust" that gets left behind their flight path. Because actual butterflies have scales on the wing that seem like powder to us. You might assume it's "pollen" or something, but the reason for that dust trail left behind the butterfly is probably due to it's scales. It's probably one of the inspirations behind stuff like "fairy dust".
https://kidsbutterfly.org/faq-page/why-do-butterflies-have-dust-their-wings
https://essig.berkeley.edu/exhibits/butterflywings/
https://www.lewisginter.org/pixie-dust-butterfly-scales/

So, I don't know. It's possible that Imu's using the lifeforce from a butterfly to power themselves up. Butterflies can symbolize rebirth or transformation, so it would be fitting to use a butterfly to gain a new form or something. But, they can also symbolize being in a "dream world", like the "artificial" world that Imu's created for themselves in the Flower Garden, or the transience of life, as a way of symbolizing death or those you have lost. I feel like the butterflies are likely symbolizing something else in this scene. Something we probably don't really have the context to fully understand, yet.
https://www.chopa.com/blog/unfolding-wings-the-symbolism-of-butterflies-in-japanese-culture.html

So, I don't know. I feel like the art's a little too unclear to really say anything definitively yet. The butterfly MIGHT be dissolving. Or it might just be leaving a dusty trail behind itself. Possibly symbolizing Imu's own journey they're about to start. We'll see.
Oh, yeah, good point about the trail butterflies leave behind. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one.


:BigW:


The only other thing I forgot to add was the alleged coloring. Some people figured this chapter showed the butterflies in black coloring while in other chapters they were not. Maybe that could have some meaning ?

:Think:


 
Oh, yeah, good point about the trail butterflies leave behind. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one.


:BigW:


The only other thing I forgot to add was the alleged coloring. Some people figured this chapter showed the butterflies in black coloring while in other chapters they were not. Maybe that could have some meaning ?

:Think:


Huh...that's a interesting detail about the butterflies being colored black. I didn't catch that. But, I'd have to go back and look at the other chapters where Imu's in the Flower Room to see if the butterflies were always grey or not. It might have gone back and forth before, I'm not sure now that you point it out.

Either way, I can't think of anything definite about that. Maybe the "color" of the Butterflies changes based on Imu's mood? Like a glorified mood ring? Or maybe Imu really is doing something to the butterflies, like draining their life force? Or maybe Oda just wanted to mix things up and colored them black just for a change of pace? It's hard to say. Something to keep in the back of my mind for later, at least.
 
Despite the Domi Reversi failure in this chapter, I still think Imu will manage to control Loki and pit him against Luffy. The arc generally seems to be building toward such an event.

While under Imu's control, Loki will taunt Luffy about Shanks, a topic Luffy has been noticeably sensitive about throughout the arc.

Luffy will overcome a stronger version of Loki than Shanks did, albeit with help from his crew (which might also have been the case for Shanks).

This also ensures Imu avoids a direct L. He'll place his trust in the controlled and boosted Loki, believing no one could defeat him, while he returns to oversee the Mary Geoise situation. This might be the only time we get another collective Straw Hats group vs. an enemy, since they're becoming too strong: Franky has received a power-up, Chopper's fruit could awaken, and the groundwork has already been laid for Zoro and Sanji's growth.

God of War needed help from his dog to stand a chance against the Sun God. A “honorable” 2v1.

If anyone would need help from in a fight between Luffy and Loki, it would be Loki. If it’s one-on-one, I always bet on Godffy.
 
There seems to be some translation differences with VIZ. VIZ makes it seem like Loki wasn't tired because of his giant form, but he shrank just to attack Imu.

I uploaded the raws into Gemini, and asked it what the dialogue was saying. It disagrees with VIZ and it's in line with the raws



Obviously it doesn't have the full context so it's bsing, but the translation itself seems the same as scanlations. I'm agnostic either way tbh.
 

ZenZu

The only one who can beat me is me
There seems to be some translation differences with VIZ. VIZ makes it seem like Loki wasn't tired because of his giant form, but he shrank just to attack Imu.

I uploaded the raws into Gemini, and asked it what the dialogue was saying. It disagrees with VIZ and it's in line with the raws



Obviously it doesn't have the full context so it's bsing, but the translation itself seems the same as scanlations. I'm agnostic either way tbh.
It's not that serious 😂
 
There seems to be some translation differences with VIZ. VIZ makes it seem like Loki wasn't tired because of his giant form, but he shrank just to attack Imu.

I uploaded the raws into Gemini, and asked it what the dialogue was saying. It disagrees with VIZ and it's in line with the raws



Obviously it doesn't have the full context so it's bsing, but the translation itself seems the same as scanlations. I'm agnostic either way tbh.
Sandman literally posted 2 minutes ago, so yeah :milaugh::milaugh:

https://x.com/sandman_AP/status/2038406640492536129?s=20
 
There seems to be some translation differences with VIZ. VIZ makes it seem like Loki wasn't tired because of his giant form, but he shrank just to attack Imu.

I uploaded the raws into Gemini, and asked it what the dialogue was saying. It disagrees with VIZ and it's in line with the raws



Obviously it doesn't have the full context so it's bsing, but the translation itself seems the same as scanlations. I'm agnostic either way tbh.
Fenaker will lives on
 
As I expected. Imu makean appearance in Elbaph.

The second part of this arc should be good. :pepebusi:

Imu vs Luffy/Loki/Usopp
Shamrock vs Zoro

Im happily surprised the domi reversi had no effect on Loki or Nika. Those theories can rest easy.
 
Huh...that's a interesting detail about the butterflies being colored black. I didn't catch that. But, I'd have to go back and look at the other chapters where Imu's in the Flower Room to see if the butterflies were always grey or not. It might have gone back and forth before, I'm not sure now that you point it out.

Either way, I can't think of anything definite about that. Maybe the "color" of the Butterflies changes based on Imu's mood? Like a glorified mood ring? Or maybe Imu really is doing something to the butterflies, like draining their life force? Or maybe Oda just wanted to mix things up and colored them black just for a change of pace? It's hard to say. Something to keep in the back of my mind for later, at least.
Yeah, I mean it could also be that there are just differently colored butterflies flying around in general in the flower room. To be fair, I also hadn't had the time yet to check every panel where the butterflies appear. This was just from a random comment that I saw that sparked my interest. Maybe it does signify some type of change ? That could be interesting. When you mentioned a type of mood change, I immediately thought about Mrs Golden week and her color traps.


But we will see.
 
There seems to be some translation differences with VIZ. VIZ makes it seem like Loki wasn't tired because of his giant form, but he shrank just to attack Imu.

I uploaded the raws into Gemini, and asked it what the dialogue was saying. It disagrees with VIZ and it's in line with the raws



Obviously it doesn't have the full context so it's bsing, but the translation itself seems the same as scanlations. I'm agnostic either way tbh.
the official also makes it seem like it tires him out to be in his form though.
 
Why would Imu use Domi reversi on 2 very clear Zoan users then. It’s not like he doesn’t know they exist, Gunko has a Devil fruit.

It makes him look dumb as a character.
I mean, in the same chapter Imu says he expected that, I see it more as a message from Oda to the reader, but we still don't know much so who knows
 
If Oda thinks this is the best way to portray it then we are cooked.


Have you seen some of the conversations here? If Oda doesn't say something explicitly, they come up with a thousand nonsensical theories.

I still remember when they were saying Zoro hadn't taken the New World seriously just because he had his sword on the wrong side :milaugh:
 
Have you seen some of the conversations here? If Oda doesn't say something explicitly, they come up with a thousand nonsensical theories.

I still remember when they were saying Zoro hadn't taken the New World seriously just because he had his sword on the wrong side :milaugh:
I agree that some fans take theory crafting to a stupid level, that doesn't mean this particular part of the chapter isn’t just dumb, and the cherry on the cake with Oda blueballing us with the Domi reversi not being explained even though it's already been used three times.
He better start explaining those things next chapter or I'm gonna start having big doubts about One piece ending on a good note.
 
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Very interesting chapter, Imu is finally going to appears in person. That fight makes Imu looks like a mosquito, he is penetrating them with black tendrils but they are injecting something instead of sucking blood. I think he ate the Mosquito Mosquito No Mi Lmao.

Luffy Dawn Gatling = all old gens.

Is that a God's Knights on the left? My guess is Shamrock in cloak or another blue hair vessel.
I thought that main servant was Gunko but guess not huh so there's still a character we don't know about
 
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